Bottle-filling machine



Oct 9, 1928.

S. GREENHOUSE BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE Filed May 15. 1922 4 Sheets-SheetOct. 9, 1928.

S. GREENHOUSE BOTTLE FILLING` MACHINE Filed lay 15. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheetd 3mm (Uro: neu

Oct. 9, 1928.y 1,686,811

s. GREENHoqsE BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE Filed May 15. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3s a a I I rl l '2 f `l! i 1 ,u

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's. GREENHOUSE BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE SST Patented Oct.. Q, 1928.

UNITED STATES SAMUEL GREENHOUSE, F AKRON, OHIO.

BOTTLE-FILLING MACHINE.

Application led May V;

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in bottle -fillingmachines and has particular relation to a machine adapted to tillYbottles with carbonated beverages.

Broadlystated objects of the invention are to provide a bottling machineof simple, durable construction, which may be employed in bottlingcarbonated liquids with a minimum loss of gas with which the liquid ischarged l0 and to thereby provide means whereby beverages containing arelatively large volume of gas may be produced at a low cost.The'invention includes new and etlicientY means for connecting a liquidsupply tank to l5 bottles to be filled. improved means for maintaining aliquid at a certain level in said tank and novel means for providing forautomatically limiting Huid pressure in the supply tank, and alsoincludes certain new and novel combinations of such means with ordinarymeans hereinafter described and set forth in the appended claims.

Inasmucli as my invention is particularly directed to improvements incertain devices utilized in bottle filling machines, such as shown inPatent No. 956.285. it is not believed necessary to give a completedescription of the machine nor to illustrate an entire assembly thereof.Only such parts will be .shown and described as are necessary' for anunderstanding of the particular improvements apprehended by myinvention. l A v In bottle filling machines of the type dis'- closed inthe above mentioned patent, it has :s been customary to utilize filling`tubes, which communicate with the bottles to be filled-and a liquidsupply tank. These tubes are relatively light in construction ahd are'usually directly connected 'to the machine by means 4o of a threadedsurface provided on the exterior of the tube, which is adapted to bescrewed into an opening providedadjacent the bottom ot' the supply tank.It has been vfurther suggested that vbottle sealing devices, slidablymounted upon the 'filling tubes and arranged to be raised and loweredeach time a bottle is filled, be utilized in conjunction therewith, andalthough this affords satisfactory operating condi-tions,A

$0l nevertheless difficulty has been experienced by reason of thefilling tubes becoming broken,

usually at the point of connection with thep machine. vThe tubes arebroken mainly by reason of the bottle sealing device being permitted todropmpon the end of the tube as a charged.

1922. Serial N0. 560,876.

bottle has been filled, and such continued shocks or jars communicatedto the tube cause it to be broken. Obviously, it is difficult to removethc broken ends to permit of replacement. i

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide a more durablestructure to carry the bottle filling tube, which, in addition toextending the life of the tu'be, also l functions to facilitate thefillingof a bottle by providing a chamber into which air may escape fromthe bottle being filled as such air is displaced@ by a liquid.

Another object of the invention is to prof vide efficient means forcontrolling or limiting fluid pressure in the liquid supplyotank.Ordinarily, bottle filling machines are connected through reducingvalves to a carbonator, from which charged water is supplied at a lowerpressure than that maintained in the c arbonator. I have found that anadvantage may be gained by disposing of such pressure reducing apparatusand by connectingthe carbonator directly to the ,supply tank of themachine, a pressure regulator being utilized to limit the fluid pressurewithin the tan The pressure may be regulated in the tank to any desiredamount by suitably adjusting the pressure controlling apparatus of myinvention.

In using the ordinary bottling machines and in following the knownmethods of bottling, the liquid becomes heavily charged with air. Inpractically all brewed or carbonated beverages there is arelativelylarge percentage of vegetable matter which, when confined inthe presence of this free air, will soon lose its fiavor and can bepreserved but a short time. The presence of the air in the bottledliquid also gives the beverage a sharp unpleasant taste and the knownmethods and means employed Wastes a large percentage of noy thecarbonating gas with which the liquid is .An important object of theinvention is to provide a bottle filling machine which will deaeratevthe liquid without removing any substantial amount of the gas and toprovide means whereby a relatively largevpercenta'ge of gas may bemaintained in the liquid with little or no loss and to provide meanswhereby bottled .beverages may begreatly improved in davor and may bepreserved a relatively longer length of time. 'l

A further object vide means and method hor'receivingthe of the inventionis to pro? liqui'd within the filling chamber directly from the gascharging chamber without the use of' a` pressure reducer and to providemeansfor permitting a constant escape of air from the upper portion ofthe chamber so that the free air -is eliminated from the liquid in thevchamber vwithout removing the gas content therefrom and in consequenceto provide means and method for producing a greater amount of highlycarbonated beverages from a given amount of gas.

`The invention also contemplates utilizing a particular type of valvefor controlling the flow of liquid to the-.supply tank ofthe machine,which operates to effectively maintain a certain predetermined-level ofliquid in the supply tank. L

Other and ancillary-'objects' will become apparent from the followingdescription of the drawings, in which like numeralsindicate like parts,and further indicated in 'the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a filling tube connected to a cylindricalmember whiehfis constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional viewof the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to Figurev 2 of the parts shown inthe relation occupied when a bottle to be filled is operatively disposedin communication therewith. l

Figure 4 is a plan view of an end closing member'utilized in theconstruction of the cylindrical member illustrated in the previousfigures.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 5-5 ofFigure 4.

Figure 6 is a transversefsectional view taken substantially along thelines 6-6 of- Figure 3.

Figure I is afpartial assembly view of -a bottle filling machine,partially in elevation and partially in section, illustrating the dis-vposition of the `device comprehended by my invention.

`Figure 8 is a sectional view of apressure limitmg device, which isadapted 'to be connected to the fluid supply tankof the machine. Y

Figure 9 is a sectional view of a ball fioat valve which is adapted tocontrol the flow ofiquid tothe supply tank of the machine, an

Figure 10 is,a sectional view ofI another end closing member utilized inthe construe; tion of the cylindrical member aforementioned.

In practicing my invention, I' provide,

means for connecting a filling tube to the bottle filling machine whichincludes a plurality of tubular members connected in telescopingrelation by means of an end closing member of frbsto-conical shape,which .is interiorly threaded to receive the externally `threadedportion of the filling tube and Ais provided with vertical assagesadaptedto provide fluid passages a out the filling tube. A gasket formedof a suitable yieldable material is disposed vwithin the outer tubularvand is provided with vertical passages to pro- I vide for the passage offluid about the filling tube when it is disposed therein.

My invention `further contemplates the provision ofha fiuid pressurecontrol. valve, which is for ed of a tubular member having a restrictedend portion which is exteriorly threaded for securement purposes-and hasa valve seat formed integrally with the tube adjacent the restricted endportion. The tube a is also provided with openings in its body portionwhich constitute outlet passages for fluid under greater-pressure thanit is desired to maintain. A valve stem havin" fa' valve head is mountedwithin the tube with the valve bead seated upon the valve seat.

` The .head is maintained in such position by means of a springenclosing the valve stem and engaging `the valve head, and an endclosing member adapted to be screwed into the tube. v

A better understanding ofthe various devices compreh'ended. by myinvention and their operation may beg had by reference to the drawings,in Figure 7 of which an as-l sembly view of such portions of the bot- Ytling machine is set forth as will enablea description of the operationof the devices of my invention. As here shown, the bottle fillingmachine includes a supply tank ljwhich is provided with a removable head2 clamped in place by means of a plurality of bolts and Wing nuts 3. Thetank is connected to a suitable air or gas compressor, (not shown) bymeans of a conduit 4 connected through a Vmain con-duit 5 to the tank l.Another conduit 6 connects the tank 1 to a supply of carbonated water,thefiowof which is regulated by a. float operated valve 7 mounted withinthe tank 1 upon the conduit 6.

The construction of the valve is clearlv shown in Figure 9 andconstitutes a semispherical body portion 8 having an inlet 9 and anelongate neck 10 formed with a U- shaped projection 11. A plurality ofopenings 12 afford outlets for liquid admitted to the inlet 9. and theneck 10 is closed by a snit- -able cap 13. A stem 14.'having a removablevalve head 15, operates in the neck 10. and is' actuated by means of aball fioat 16 attached thereto by a-lever arm 17 pivoted 'upon theLessen pivotally connected to the stem at 19. The operation of the abovedescribed valve is obvious, inasmuch as the Weight of the float 16 issufiicient, when not counterbalanced, to lift the stem 14 to remove thehead 15 from its seat over the inlet opening and permit free passage ofIiuid to the interior of the valve and through the openings 12 to thechamber in which it is mounted. The liquid gradually raisesl the floatand forces the stem 14 downwardly to close the opening when the liquidreaches a predetermined level.

rlhe stem 14 extends upwardly into the cylindrical cavity in the neck 10and terminates in spaced relation to the upper end thereof therebyforming a pressure chamber 10a in the upper end of said neck. Thestem 14is provided with a bore 14 which extends coaxially therethrough andprovides a communicating passage between said pressure chamber 10a andthe cavityof the inlet 9, the cavity of the inlet 9 being filled withliquid under heavy pressure which Will `force the liquid through thebore 14a in the stem 14 and fill the pressure chamber in the upper endof the neck 10 thereby providing a counter pressure on the upper end ofthe stem 14 which will provide for greater (ease and regularity ofoperation and will prevent'a sudden opening of said valve.

The tank 1 is provided with a hand opening 20 suitably covered, asindicated at 21, which affords ready means for connecting a pressurelimiting valve 22, through a conduit 23, to the interior of the tank 1.Agauge 24 is mounted upon the conduit 23 to indicate the amount ofpressure existing in the tank. For a clear understanding of theconstruction of the valve 22 reference may be had to Figure 8.

As here shown, the valve 22 comprises a tubu-` lar body 25 having arestricted end portion 26 exteriorly threaded, as indicated 'at 27. Avalve seat 28 is integrally formed on the interior of the tube adjacentthe restricted vend portion, and is adapted to seat a valve head 29mounted upon a valve stem 30. The tube f 25 is provided with a pluralityof openings 31 in its body portion, whichconstitutes outlets forobjectional gas andA air. ,The end of the tube is closed by .a cap 32having an opening 33 through which the valve stem 30 extends and islthereby maintained centrally located. In orderto provide a pressureagainst the valve head 29, a spring 34 is disposed about the stem 30 andengages the-valve head' 29 and the cap 32, which latter member isadjusted to various positions to regulate the degree of pressure necearyto raise the valve head 29 rom its seat and permit of the'escape ofentrapped gas. In using'my improved device, the valve 22 is adjusted tooperate at the pres- "sure reqtiired within the tank,the continuedoperation of the machine causes air and gas toeonstantly escape from theliquid vwithin the filling chamber so .that the air and lighter 'tank isusua gases are constantly escaping through the valve 22. Inasmuch as thevalve 22 is in constant operation, the volume of air or ases passingthrough the valve 22 is relatively small causing no disturbance inthetank, the gas being heavier than the air forms in a strata just abovethe liquid and is easily -orced into the liquid by the pressure wi'thinthe tank to replace the air and lighter gas, thus eliminated therefrom.s

The fluid ressure in the upper part of the ily lower than the pressureof the charged water in the carbonater4 and after the water has beenadmitted to the tank a certain amount of the gases 'with [which it is,charged escapes into the tank.' While the amount of gas thus escapingis relatively small, the escape is continual and the upper part of thetank becomes filled with carbonicacid gas. Water charged with carbondioxide by the ordinary charging machines contains air'and otherobjectional gases and such objectional gases being lighter than thecarbon dioxide will rise to the top of the tank and be automaticallydischarged by the valve 22. `f It Will thus beseen that after themachine is in operation a short period of time the valve 4at may beclosed to shut ofi the pressure of air to the upper part of the tank.This invention thus provides means whereby a beverage may be producedhaving a relatively large volume of carbonic-acifd gas and from whichthe objectional gases have been excluded and consequently provides apleasant tasting, wholesome product.

A plurality of pipes 35I and 36 are mounted Within the tank incommunication with a valve 37, which is of Well known construction andis provided with suitable openings to connect the pipes to respectiveopenings 38 and 39 as an operating lever 40 is actuated by additionalmeans that it is not believed necessary to show or describe`v Itsuffices to point out that the valve is operated to various positions tofirst admit air or gasto the tube 35 to-a bottle 41 positioned inengagement with a sealing device 42, which is moved upwardlygintoengagement with the cylindrical member 43. Obviously, fsince thepressure ordinarily maintained in the supply tank 1 is aboveatmospheric, it is necessary to equalize the pressure in the (tank.and'in 0the bottle to obtain a flow of liquid from the tank to thebottle to be filled. Liquid is permitted to flow through an opening 44in the bottom of the tank through a suitable opening in the valve 37,and thence to a filling tube 45 carried by the member 43. As rtheliquid'flows from the tank into the bottle, the' air in the bottle isforced upwardly through a suitable olpening in the key 37 and throughthe tube 36 into the upper part' of the chamber of the Atank 1. TheVtube 36 is of ordinary construction and is provided at the top thereofwith an ordinary weighted check] llt tube 47, and a gasket 49 isdisposed about the member 48 within the tube 47. A flanged nut 50 isadapted to be fitted within the tube 47 to compress the gasket 49 andprovide a liquid seal between the member 43 and the' Lsealing device 42.The member 48 is shown in cross-section in Figure 10, and, as will beseen from an inspection of this figure, is interiorly threaded toreceive the threaded fill; ing tube 45. Vertical grooves 51 affordpassages around the tube 45 when it is fitted within the member. Theopposite end of the device 43 has annular washers 52 mounted to closethe space between the telescoping tubes, and upon which the flangedfrustoconical end closing member 53isv mounted with its cone extendingtowards the interior of the tube.

The construction of the member 53 is illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6,and is similar to the end closmg member 48 in that it is provided withvertical grooves 54,y as well as screw threads, to receive the threadedend of the tube 45. The exterior surface of the free lpassages is conend of the member 43 is threaded, as indicated at 55, to afford meansfor attachment to the tank 1.

From the foregoing description, it will be observed that when the device43 is fitted into an opening 56, provided at the bottom of the vtank 1,'communication is thus established through the passages 38, 39 and 44and the qonduits 11(136 to the interior of the supplytank'li iesopening', of course, of the ed by the valve 37, which isfirstoperatd'wiien 'a bottle 41 is-positioned, asshown in Figure 3, toadmit air rpm'v the' top of .the tank into the bottle through themember43 and sealing device 42.

`Wlien the pressure of gas has been equalized in the tank and in thebottle, the valve is actuated to close thecommunicating passage to thetop of the tank lthrough the pipe 35, and opens a passage through theopening to the tube 45 .whereby liquid ispermitted to flow from thebottom of the tank to the bottle 41. The admission of liquid to thebottle 41 displaces the air therein and forces it into the member 43,t-he interior tube 46 of which it is believed that the construction oflthe Lvarious' devices comprehended by my invention will be clearinasmuch as they are ada t ed to pa ticular portions of the machinewhich have been shown in connection there- I,

with. It is to be noted that I provide parJ ticularly efficient meansfor controlling the f gas pressure maintained in the supply tank, andihave found that my improved means when set to operate,at a bottlingpressure produces a greatly' improved product and greatly improvesoperating conditions in that any desired bottling pressure may beconstantly maintained. Furthermore, the pressure which will provideaconstant escape of air and undesirable gases may be readily determinedthereby facilitating the operation of the machine, and improving thequalities of the beverage being bottled.

` Particular-attention should be given to the cylindrical member 43,which provides suitable passages for`the inlet and escape of Vair to andfrom the'bottle being filled, which al:o aids in improving 4the qualityof the beverage, parti ularly when carbonated liquids are being mployed.It is well known, of course that it is desirable to, exclude air fromthe liquid since this tends to give it a fiat, sour taste, whereas thecarbonated liquid improves its qualitiesand assists in maintaining it inproper condition. t should furthermore, be noted that the filling tube45 is supported in suchmanner that its durabilit-y is insured, and if ishould become broken aftr continued use, the disassembly as new anddesire to secure by Letters-Patentisz- Y 1. In a bottle filling machine,the combl- -nation with a supply tank adapted to contain liquid andgases under pressure, of means for conducting liquid to bottles, saidmeans including a conduit communicating with the supply tank, a sealingdevice, slidably mounted upon said conduit, means for securing saidconduit to the machine including `a cylinder, removable end closingmembers in said cylinder, said conduit secured to bothv of said endclosing members, the cylinder being provided with an exteriorly threadedsurface adapted to fit into-a correspondingly threaded opening providedin the machine.

2. In a bottle filling machine the combination with a supply tankadapted to contain liquid and gases under pressure, of a filling tube, amember mounted thereon formed of telescoping t-ubes said filling tubemounted in saidmember, said telescoping tubes prviding a chamber aboutthe filling tube, the u per end of the outer tube being secured directlyto the tank, the illing tube being secured at the upper end thereof tothe tank and secured to the, outer tube at the lower end thereof, meansfor regulating a liquid level in the tank, and means for limiting fluidpressure in the tank.

3. That method of bottling carbonated beverages which consists first infeeding the carbonated beverages under pressure into an enclosedchamber, causing of air from the upper part of said chamber and drawingliquid from the bottom of said chamber whereby the free air will escapefrom the liquid in the chamber, substantially as and for the purposesherein set forth.

4. That process of bottling a carbonated beverage which comprises partlyAfilling an enclosed chamber with a. carbonated beverage, introducinggas under pressure to the upper portion of the chamber; bringing thepressure to a predetermined point, causing the gas to constantly escapeat said point, constantly maintaining the pressure of the s at saidpoint, conducting the beverage from the bottom of said chamber tobottles, simultaneously introducing a suilicient quantity of the everageto replace the amount drawn therefrom, whereby the amount of liquidwithin the chamber will be constantly the same and the pressure in theupper part of the chamber will be constantly maintained by gas escapingfrom the beverage within the chamber.

5. That process of bottling a carbonated beverage which comprisesconducting a predetermined qpantity of the beverage to an enclosed tanconstantly maintaining the same quantity of beverage within the tank,introducing gas under pressure to the upper portion of said tank, untila certain predetermined pressure Iis reached, causing a conetant escapeof gas from the upper portioncf lower portion a constant escapel intothe chamber the tank constantly maintaining the ressure of the gas inthe upper portion ot the tank and conducting the beverage from the ofthe tank to bottles.

6. That method of bottling carbonated beverages which consists in first`maintaining a body of carbonated liquid in an enclosed chamber, causinga continuous escape of air from the-top of said chamber, withdrawingliquid from the bottom of said chamber into bottles, passing thedisplaced air from said bottles to the upper part of said chamber andventing' same to the outside air along with the first mentioned air.

7. That method of. bottling carbonated bevera es which consists in rstmaintaining a ody of carbonated liquid in an enclosed chamber, causing acontinuous escape of air from the top of said chamber and withdrawingthe carbonated liquid from the bottom of the chamber.

8. That method of bottling a carbonated liquid which consists in partlyilling an enclosed space with the liquid, filling the upper part of thespace with gas under ressure, causing gas to continuously escape rom theupper part of said space, constantly replenishing the gas thus esca ing,drawing the carbonated liquid from t i space and constantly replacingthe amount of liquid withdrawn.

9. That method of bottling a carbonated liquid which consists in partlyfilling an enclosed space with the liquid, lilling the upper part of thespace with gas under ressure, causing gas to continuously esca e rom theup er part of said space and rawing the car onated liquid` from thebottom of said space. 4

-10. That method of removin free air from a carbonated beverage whiconsists in partl fillingl an enclosed space with the li uid, lling t eremainder of said space wit gas under pressure; causing the gas toslowly and continuously escape from the upper part of said space,withdrawing liquid from the bottom of said space and constantlyreplacing the liquid withdrawn.

n testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

` SAMUEL GREENHOUSE.

e bottom of said'

